The Mad Lover Part 16

_Prie._ You know I love ye.

_Chi._ I will not be above an hour; let thy robe be readie And the door be kept. { _Knock._ Cleanthe { _knocks within_.

_Prie._ Who knocks there?

Yet more business?

_Enter_ Cleanthe.

_Chi._ Have ye more pensioners? the Princess woman?

Nay then I'le stay a little, what game's a foot now?

_Clean._ Now is the time.

_Chi._ A rank bawd by this hand too, She grinds o' both sides: hey boyes.

_Priest._ How, your Brother _Siphax_?

Loves he the Princess?

_Cle._ Deadlie, and you know He is a Gentleman descended n.o.blie.

_Chi._ But a rank knave as ever pist.

_Cle._ Hold Mother, Here's more gold and some jewells.

_Chi._ Here's no villany, I am glad I came toth' hearing.

_Priest._ Alas Daughter, What would ye have me doe?

_Chi._ Hold off ye old wh.o.r.e; There's more gold coming; all's mine, all.

_Cle._ Do ye shrink now, Did ye not promise faithfully, and told me Through any danger?

_Pri._ Any I can wade through.

_Cle._ Ye shall and easily, the sin not seen neither, Here's for a better stole and a new vail mother: Come, ye shall be my friend.

_Chi._ If all hit, hang me, I'le make ye richer than the G.o.ddess.

_Pri._ Say then, I am yours, what must I doe?

_Cle._ I'th' morning But very early, will the Princess visit The Temple of the G.o.ddess, being troubled With strange things that distract her: from the Oracle (Being strongly too in love) she will demand The G.o.ddess pleasure, and a Man to cure her, That Oracle you give: describe my Brother, You know him perfectly.

_Pri._ I have seen him often.

_Cle._ And charge her take the next man she shall meet with When she comes out: you understand me.

_Priest._ Well.

_Cle._ Which shall be he attending; this is all, And easily without suspicion ended, Nor none dare disobey, 'tis Heaven that does it, And who dares cross it then, or once suspect it?

The venture is most easie.

_Pri._ I will doe it.

_Cle._ As ye shall prosper?

_Pri._ As I shall prosper.

_Cle._ Take this too, and farewel; but first hark hither.

_Chi._ What a young wh.o.r.e's this to betray her Mistris?

A thousand Cuckolds shall that Husband be, That marries thee, thou art so mischievous.

I'le put a spoak among your wheels.

_Clean._ Be constant.

_Priest._ 'Tis done.

_Chi._ I'le doe no more at drop shot then. [_Exit_ Chilax.

_Pri._ Farewel wench. [_Exeunt Priest and_ Cleanthe.

_Actus Quartus. Scena Prima._

_Enter a Servant, and_ Stremon, _at the door_.

_Servant._ He stirs, he stirs.

_Strem._ Let him, I am ready for him, He shall not this day perish, if his pa.s.sions May be fed with Musick; are they ready?

_Enter_ Memnon.

_Ser._ All, all: see where he comes.

_Strem._ I'le be straight for him. [_Exit_ Stremon.

_Enter_ Eumenes, _and Captains_.

_Ser._ How sad he looks and sullen! [_Stand close._ Here are the Captains: my fear's past now.

_Mem._ Put case i'th' other world She do not love me neither? I am old 'tis certain.

_Eumen._ His spirit is a little quieter.

_Mem._ My blood lost, and limbs stiff; my embraces Like the cold stubborn bark, h.o.a.rie, and heatless, My words worse: my fame only and atchievements Which are my strength, my blood, my youth, my fashion, Must wooe her, win her, wed her; that's but wind, And women are not brought to bed with shadows: I do her wrong, much wrong; she is young and blessed, Sweet as the spring, and as his blossoms tender, And I a nipping North-wind, my head hung With hails, and frostie Isicles: are the souls so too When they depart hence, lame and old, and loveless?

No sure, 'tis ever youth there; Time and Death Follow our flesh no more: and that forc'd opinion That spirits have no s.e.xes, I believe not.